It was Jesus Himself who said it.
“…….Ye must be born again.” (John 3:7 KJV) The word “must,” according to my friend dictionary.com, means “to be obliged or bound to by an imperative requirement.” I figure it doesn’t get any more imperative than when the Creator of the universe says it! Someone might foolishly argue or contend by asking, “What if I don’t fulfill the obligation?” The answer to that is given many times in the New Testament, but we can stay right in John chapter 3 to receive a definitive answer. Even the fantastic, loved, and oft memorized John 3:16 sneaks in the answer to the avoided obligation when it says “… shall not perish…” (that’s if you keep the obligation. If you don’t, you perish!) But then, you only have to go two more verses in the writing of the Apostle of Love to get the truth full force (John 3:18) “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
Maybe, just maybe, someone is reading this who is saying, “Okay, preacher, I’ve got it. I don’t want to be condemned. But what is this ‘born again’ thing anyway?” (I’m glad you asked, and since you “must be,” then you “need to be” aware of the exact meaning of Born Again.) It’s already snuck in there in verse 16, because the only requirement for not perishing is believing. Then verse 18 gives another confirmation “He that believeth on him is not condemned…” It’s the simplicity of gaining eternal life. So the “New Birth” (if you really want to be educated, make sure you get your “B.A. – Born Again) is believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, and going to Him in the prayer of your heart, asking Him to be your LORD and Saviour! In John 3:5-6, we read “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” We have a fleshly birth, but because we were born in sin, we who were dead in trespasses and sins (that’s all of us, Eph 2:1 & Romans 3:23) need to be quickened (made alive) by that spiritual birth of believing in the LORD Jesus Christ.
Some might think it’s too simple, that we should have to do a number of good deeds to achieve. Understandable, and there are plenty of cults and lazy or stupid Bible students who will actually teach you that very thing. But it’s wrong! We are saved by “Grace.” The LORD Jesus was perfectly good and did all the good deeds needed! Simple? Not if you’re the One paying the price. God came down, took on flesh, died a horrific death on the cross and rose again the third day, paying the price that we owed but could never have paid. Hallelujah what a Saviour!! Be careful that you are not duped into the Roman Catholic teaching that the New Birth is baptism. As my former pastor, Buddy Frankland, used to say, “You can be baptized in the creek ‘til the frogs know your social security number and still go to Hell.” Baptism is a great thing, but it’s what we do because we’ve been born again, not so that we can be. I can elaborate on that some other time, but now, on a beautiful Sunday Morning, just remember how the Apostle Paul answered his jailer’s question of “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). The answer came back in beautifully eloquent and finest theological simplicity,
“…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,…”(Acts 16:31).
You don’t need me or any other good or fake clergyman. You have all you need, the invitation of the LORD. Pray in your own words this type of prayer “Father, I’ve sinned and I admit that I am a sinner. I understand that I must be born again by accepting the LORD Jesus Christ as my LORD and Saviour, and I ask Him now into my heart to save me. I believe!”
That, my friend, guarantees you eternal life! That is the New Birth! Find a good King James Bible Believing church, attend, and stay here on this blog so we can help you with your new walk in Christ!
Love and Prayers to you all,
Pastor
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